Burbank - August 27, 2004 - Emmy Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits has joined the cast of "The West Wing." He will play a three-term Houston congressman with presidential aspirations. He recently starred in Shakespeare in the Park's production of "Much Ado About Nothing" as well as the Pulitzer Prize winning "Anna in the Tropics" and will next be seen in "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith." Smits' television credits include starring roles in "NYPD Blue" and "L.A. Law."

"The West Wing" has earned twelve Emmy nominations this year and will premiere on NBC on October 20th at 9:00pm.

"The West Wing" is a John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. John Wells serves as the executive producer. Aaron Sorkin is the creator.